James Vs. Crom Cruach I

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

At the time James first confronted Crom Cruach, Shuna had just reached the Alaverus Estate. When she did, she immediately ran towards the underground training room in search of Scathach. However, when she arrived, all she found was Genkai watching over Yusuke's training. Naturally, Genkai noticed Shuna's arrival.

"Do you need me for something, Child?" Genkai asked as she turned her head toward Shuna.

However, when she saw the frantic expression on Shuna's face, Genkai began to take the situation more seriously. Instead of responding to Genkai, Shuna scoured the training room with her eyes. Unfortunately, only Genkai and Yusuke were present.

"Master Genkai, would you happen to know where Master Scathach is?" Shuna asked, doing her best to restrain her panic.

"No, I don't." Genkai replied while shaking her head. "But if there is something wrong, you need to calm down. You won't do anyone any good if you lose yourself in panic."

Realizing the truth in Genkai's words, Shuna took a deep breath. After releasing it, she took another, repeating the process until she felt herself calm down significantly. Once her composure had returned, she looked to Genkai and bowed her head.

"Thank you for helping me calm down, Master Genkai." Shuna said in a solemn tone.

However, instead of waiting for Genkai to respond, Shuna closed her eyes and began to invoke her [Senjutsu]. With it active, she had a much easier time sensing the presence and position of everyone currently in the mansion. To her surprise, however, Scathach was on the roof.

"I've found her." Shuna said quietly as she opened her eyes. "Master Genkai, if you'll excuse me, I have something to discuss with Master Scathach."

"Go on." Genkai said while waving Shuna away. "If it's so important then get going already."

Nodding her head, Shuna created a teleportation magic circle beneath her. Then, after a moment she disappeared along with the magic circle.

"*Sigh* It looks like things are getting crazy here, too." Genkai said as she glanced at Yusuke who was balancing on a spike with his magic power.

Meanwhile, on the mansion's rooftop, Scathach was standing with her spear resting on her shoulder. Just like James, she had also sensed the approaching powerful aura. However, unlike James and Ddraig, she knew exactly who was approaching the town.

"So, The Crescent Circle Dragon is here, huh?" Scathach muttered to herself.

A moment later, Shuna's teleportation magic circle appeared not far behind Scathach. Then, Shuna with a solemn expression on her face appeared from it.

"Master Scathach, James-Sama..." Shuna began to speak, however, she was quickly interrupted.

"No need to explain." Scathach said, cutting off Shuna's explanation. "I am aware of the situation. I would assume that James sent you here to have me raise the mansion's defenses, correct?"

"Uh... Yes." Shuna replied with a bit of surprise in her tone.

"Well, now that you are here, I can raise the barriers." Scathach said with a nod.

Then, Scathach slammed the butt of her spear down on the floor. When she did, many runes scattered around the Estate grounds lit up momentarily. After they dimmed again, a translucent barrier was erected.

"Now, I need you to report that Crom Cruach, The Crescent Circle Dragon, appeared on the outskirts of the town to Rias and Sona." Scathach said once she erected the barrier. "I'm sure they will report it to the Underworld. Also, let everyone in the mansion know that James will be fighting him."

"The Crescent Circle Dragon?" Shuna said in shock. "You mean... the strongest of all the Evil Dragons?"

"Yes, but now is not the time to panic." Scathach said. "Make haste. Then, after reporting to them, come back up here. I will cast a scrying spell so that those who wish to, may watch the battle."

"Okay, got it." Shuna said, as she quickly conjured another teleportation circle.

"Meanwhile, while Shuna was heading back into the mansion to inform Rias and Sona, as well as the rest of the residents of the mansion of the incoming battle, James continued his conversation with Crom Cruach.

"Perhaps Ddraig will remember the name, Crescent Circle Dragon Crom Cruach." Crom Cruach said in a powerful tone.

"*Sigh* Whether Ddraig remembers you now is irrelevant." James said in a tired tone. "I doubt there is anyone well-versed in the supernatural that doesn't know who you are."

"So, that little welp from Ireland has grown so much since my death." Ddraig said in an impressed tone. "To think, it's only been about a thousand years."

"You can revel in your nostalgia, later." James said, then he narrowed his eyes at Crom Cruach. "So, why are you here, Crescent Circle Dragon?"

"I have come to fight." Crom Cruach stated as if it were obvious. "I have heard tales of you and your deeds, James Alaverus. I wish to see if you are a worthy wielder of the [Boosted Gear]. I can only hope that you will be more entertaining than the Vanishing Dragon's host."

"So, you fought vali already, huh?" James said with a shrug. "Well, he's not exactly in my league."

"For you and the sake of this town, I hope you are right." Crom Cruach said impassively.

"Before we get started, where did you fight with Vali?" James asked curiously.

"In the territory of the Tepes Faction of vampires." Crom Cruach replied.

"Does that mean you're with Rizevim?" James asked with a slight frown. And when he saw Crom Cruach nod his head, his frown deepened. "Damn, does that mean that all the evil dragons are on his side?"

"Enough talk." Crom Cruach said in a firm tone. "If you are able to defeat me, I will answer any of your questions."

"And did you intend on fighting right here?" James asked.

"Does it matter where we fight?" Crom Cruach asked with a tilt of his head.

"I'd rather not have my home destroyed just because you want a good fight." James replied while rolling his eyes. "Follow me, I know a good place for us to fight."

With that, James spread his wings. However, unlike the usual devil wings, James' wings were those of a dragon. As it turns out, like Ddraig and James mentioned to Irene, Ddraig had already changed some of James' internal organs, namely his heart and lungs, into those of a dragon. Also, James swapped his devil wings for draconic ones, for good measure. Then, once his wings were spread, James shot off into the sky.

Following James, Crom Cruach spread his large, jet-black pair of wings and shot of into the sky in pursuit.

While James and Crom Cruach were speeding through the sky, the last of the residents of the mansion appeared on the rooftop. As each of them appeared, they took seats around the tables that were set up, then they looked toward the magical screen produced by Scathach's scrying spell.

"I'm not too late, am I?" Flora asked frantically as she made her way out of the mansion's elevator.

"Don't worry, they haven't started fighting yet." Moka said.

"I hope Issei-Kun, Asia-Chan, and Irina-Chan will make it in time, too." Akeno said in a slightly concerned tone. "I bet seeing a fight at this level would be good for them."

"Seeing a fight at this level is good for anyone." Evangeline said. "Regardless of strength."

Everyone else at the minor god-rank, namely Scathach, Irene, and Issa, nodded in agreement with Evangeline's statement.

"Hey, does anyone know where James is taking the dragon?" Mizore asked curiously.

"If I am not mistaken, he is heading toward the uninhabited island where we fought Loki." Scathach said in reply to Mizore's question.

"Wait, did you say that you fought Loki?" Irene asked incredulously. "Like the Norse God of Trickery and Lies?"

"The very same." Scathach replied with a nod. Then, she rubbed Fenrir's head. "And this is his creation, Fenrir, with whom I was able to form a familiar contract."

At that moment, everyone who was not present for that battle, except for Yusuke who was poorly educated on matters of the supernatural, stiffened as they looked at the German Shepard sized wolf sitting next to Scathach.

"James is slowing down." Sona said while adjusting her glasses.

"*Sigh*I guess Issei and the girls aren't going to make it in time." Rias said in a slightly disappointed tone.

Just as her words ended, however, Issei, Asia, Irina, and Genshirou appeared after Yuuto's shadow extended.

"Did we make it?" Irina asked nervously. "I really wanna see James-Senpai's new swords in action."

Seeing the new arrivals, everyone was surprised.

"So, you went to pick up Saji-Kun." Akeno said as she looked at the new arrivals.

"Yeah, he lives even further away than I do." Issei said while scratching his head. "So, I thought I'd go and get him first. I didn't mean to make you wait."

*Bang!*

"You can discuss that later." Scathach said after gaining everyone's attention by slamming the butt of her spear into the floor. "The battle will begin soon, so pay attention."

Human World, South China Sea, Uninhabited Island.

At this moment, James had just landed on the island where he and the others fought Loki a couple of months ago. Shortly after James landed, Crom Cruach followed suit.

"A baren island covered with nothing but sand." Crom Cruach commented. "A suitable place to do battle."

"I'm glad you like it?" James said, in an unsure tone. "Anyway, let's get down to business."

"[Boosted Gear Balance Breaker! Welsh Dragon Shihakusho!]"

With that, James was covered in a red flash. Then, when the flash dimmed, James reappeared clothed in a red shihakusho with black accents. Wasting no time, James rushed toward Crom Cruach without drawing his swords.

"[Boost!]" x 10

When he was in range, James began his attack with a flurry of jabs and straights that Crom Cruach either deflected with his own hands or avoided with minimal head movement. Noticing that his strikes were not landing after several seconds, James began to mix in elbow and Knee strikes. Then, with the greater diversity of attacks and angles they could come from, Crom Cruach was no longer able to avoid. Instead, he was forced to block and parry.

"Your skill in hand-to-hand combat is much more refined than the White One's host." Crom Cruach said while defending. "But if this is all you can do, then... Ugh."

Crom Cruach was interrupted when James once again added in more strike variations. When James landed a left hook to Crom Cruach's rib cage, the Crescent Circle Dragon stiffened and grunted involuntarily. Then, not letting the opportunity go to waste, James followed up with a right uppercut to the jaw, a jumping knee, a Muay Thai Clinch, two knees to the face, an elbow to the chin, and another uppercut that sent Crom Cruach into the air.

Using his [Flash step], James followed Crom Cruach into the sky. A moment later, James was standing above Crom Cruach with his wings extended. Then, he raised his right leg up high.

"[Inferno Dragon's Talon]!" James shouted as his leg from the calf down was ignited with high-temperature flames.

*Bang!*

In the next instant, James slammed his flaming right foot into Crom Cruach's back. Then, with great force and velocity, Crom Cruach was shot downward toward the sand below. All the while, flames were burning on his back where James' kick made contact.

*Boom!*

In an instant, Crom Cruach crashed into the sand. Due to the impact, sand was shot up into the air as if a bomb had detonated. Meanwhile, James remained in the air, looking down at the impact sight. As he did, he was lightly shaking his hands.

"Damn, that was like hitting a tractor tire." James said with an expression that said he was feeling a bit of discomfort.

"[What kind of magical rubber is that tractor tire made of?]" Ddraig asked in an astonished tone.

"Don't be an ass, Ddraig." James said with a wry smile on his face. "You know what I meant."

Before James and Ddraig could continue with their back and forth, however, a surge of draconic aura blew away the cloud of sand.

"Ahhahahahaha!" Crom Cruach laughed with clear delight and a bit of insanity. "Finally, someone that can at least make me put in some effort. Come, Red Dragon Emperor! Show me everything you have."

"Well, shit." James said as he readied himself to continue. "It looks like I flipped his switch."

At that moment, Crom Cruach shot out of the sand cloud much faster than James was expecting. However, not so fast that James could not react. Then, As Crom Cruach neared, he cocked his fist back and threw a punch of his own that James deflected. However, James noticed that it took much more force than he thought it would to deflect the blow.

"*Sigh* This is gonna be a long day.' James thought to himself as he continued to deflect and block Crom Cruach's assault.

Eventually, after reading Crom Cruach's patterns, James began to counterattack. As the two exchanged blows that would destroy buildings, The smile on Crom Cruach's face grew wider.

"Good! Very Good!" Crom Cruach shouted excitedly. "Show me more!"

Then, Crom Cruach flexed his aura even harder, and along with that, his speed increased dramatically. An instant later, he was behind James with his foot raised to deliver an axe kick.

"Shit!" James exlaimed as he was able to turn and raise his guard just in time.

*Bang!*

*Boom!*

Like Crom Cruach, James was slammed into the sand below. However, he immediately shot back into the sky while rubbing his sore forearms.

"Alright, let's kick it up a notch, then." James said as he placed his hand on Sixth Sense's hilt.